Improvement in torpedoes for oll-wells



` A. HAMARL,

Tnrpedoes for Oil-Wellsf 910.137,91@ v I Pa1tented.L\pril15,1873.

Y mar/zeg.

UNITED STATES NPATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER EAMAR, on rHrLADELrnIA, rEnnsrLvANrA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TORPOES FOR OIL-WELLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,916, dated Api il 15,1873; application filed March 22, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER HAMAR, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain ynew and useful Improvements in Torpedoes for Wells, of which the following isa specification:

This invention consists in the combination,

with a closed torpedo constructed as hereinafter described, of a needle, whereby the charge is ignited by pert'orating the cover of the fulminate-tube; and, further, of a spring for supporting the needle, so as to prevent the descent of the needle unless it is struck a blow suicient to overcome the resistance of the spring, whereby the danger ot' premature explosion is prevented.

In the drawing, Figure l represents a vertical central section of my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 show similar sections of modifications thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The letter A designates a torpedo, which may be charged with nitro-glycerine or any other suitable explosive material. Through the top of this torpedo extends a tube,B, which is open atboth ends, and which is charged with fnlminate. On the top of the fulminating tube is tted a cap, O, the bottom edge of which bears upon an elastic or rigid tube, D,

secured to the tube, as shown in Fig. 1; and

from this cap rises a spiral spring, E, through which extends the needle F, said spiral spring being so arranged that it forms a yielding support for the needle, and prevents the point thereof from coming in contact with the head of the cap C until it is depressed by a blow sufficiently strong to overcome the resistance of said spring. The needle projects from a plate, Gr, throughA which passes the rope H `that serves to lower the torpedo in the well in which the same is to be exploded. This rope also forms the guide for the weight or hammer I that serves to explode `the torpedo; and after the torpedo has been lowered to the required position in the well the weight or hammer is allowed to drop. When the vhammer strikes the top plate or head of the needle the yielding support E is compressed, and the point of the needle is driven through the head of the cap G, causing the fulminate to ignite, and producing the explosion of the torpedo.

lt is obvious that the elastic supportE may be made in various forms; and I donot wish to confine myself to the precise form shown in the drawing.

Instead of making the case of my torpedo in the form shown in Fig. l, I make' the same sometimes in the form shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and I use one or more tubes, B, charged with fulminate. These tubes are secured, each, in a channel extending through the top of the torpedo case. Across the mouth of this channel is placed a disk of rubber or other suitable material, which is held in position by a cap, C, (see Fig. 2,) or by a single plate, C', fastened on the case A, as shown in Fig.

3. This cap or plate is perforated to allow the Y point of theneedleF to pass; and itis provided with a yielding support, E, which retains the point of the needle at a safe distance from the rubber disk. y

When the hammer descends the point of the needle is driven through the rubber disk and the torpedo explodes.

' By means of the yielding support E a premature explosion ofthe torpedo is etfectually prevented.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination, with atorpedo constructed and entirely closed, 'substantially as described, of the needle F, whereby the charge is ignited by perforating the cover of the fulminat'e-tube, as set forth.

2. In combination with the above, a spring for supporting the needle, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have 'hereunto set myhand.

A. EIAMAR.

Witnesses:

JAMEs L. NoRRIs, WM. J. PEYTON. 

